When Is The Pro Bowl? 2015 NFL All-Star Game Features New Roster

The players that were elected to the 2015 Pro Bowl were announced a month ago, but the the rosters for the NFL’s All-Star Game will feature several differences when the contest is played. Members of the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots will be ineligible to play, as they prepare for the Super Bowl, and injuries to other stars have forced to the NFL to name additional replacements.

Five members of the defending champs won’t play in the Pro Bowl, despite making the team. Running back Marshawn Lynch is the lone offensive player that made the team for Seattle. Linebacker Bobby Wagner, cornerback Richard Sherman and safeties Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor made the squad.

The Patriots also have five representatives that won’t partake in the game. Quarterback Tom Brady and tight end Rob Gronkowski made the team, as did cornerback Darrelle Revis. New England also had two special teamers on the roster in kicker Stephen Gostkowski and wide receiver Matthew Slater.

The Detroit Lions will have multiple players in the game that weren’t named to the original rosters. Quarterback Matthew Stafford replaces Peyton Manning, who won’t play with a quad injury. Wide receiver Golden Tate has also been added to the game, setting career highs with 99 catches for 1,331 yards this season. Calvin Johnson and Ndamukong Suh made the team, but injuries will keep them out of the game.

Odell Beckham Jr. will replace Johnson. The rookie missed the first four games of the 2014 season, but still managed to catch 91 passes for 1,305 yards and 12 scores. Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Geno Atkins takes the place of Suh.

Other replacements include running back Alfred Morris, cornerback Antonio Cromartie and offensive tackle Duane Brown. Following Green Bay’s loss in the NFC Championship Game, Aaron Rodgers is eligible to play in the Pro Bowl, but the calf injury that hobbled him in the playoffs is likely to keep him out of the contest.

For a third straight year, the two rosters won’t be separated by conference. Players from the NFC and AFC will make up both teams, as Cris Carter and Michael Irvin will draft separate teams.

The 2015 Pro Bowl won’t be held in Hawaii, where the game usually takes place. The contest will be held on Sunday, Jan. 25, a week before the Super Bowl, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.